Acts 21 Acts 21:1–9 Paul, journeying to Jerusalem, calleth at the house of Philip the evangelist, whose four daughters prophesied. Acts 21:10–16 Agabus foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem, he will not be dissuaded from going thither.

Were gotten from them; had parted with them, as dearest friends and relations do one from the other, with much difficulty and reluctance. Coos; an island in the Mediterranean Sea, nigh unto Crete, where Hippocrates and Apelles are said to have been born.

Sailing over unto Phenicia; whose master and mariners intended such a voyage. Phenicia; a country in Syria, situate nigh the sea, and bordering upon Palestine, whose chief city was Tyre.

Cyprus; another island in the Mediterranean. Unlade her burden; of goods and merchandise which she had taken in at Ephesus.

Seven days; they tarried the rather so long, that they might worship and serve the Lord on his day together. Through the Spirit; by the Spirit of prophecy they foretold his sufferings at Jerusalem, which afterward accordingly befell unto him; and they, being ignorant of his undertaking that journey…

They all brought us on our way; to show their greater respect unto him, being loth to part with him so long as it was possible for them to enjoy him; so that they did not despise his temptation that was in the flesh, Gal.

Had taken our leave one of another; as Acts 20:1, embracing one another at their parting.

We came to Ptolemais; so far forth as to Ptolemais, a city in Phenicia, so called from one of the Ptolemies, king of Egypt; and is thought to be the same with Accho, mentioned Judg. 1:31, which ancient name is yet retained in the Syriac translation.

Caesarea; that which was called Caesarea Stratonis, to distinguish it from Caesarea Philippi, at the foot of Mount Libanus, as also from another city of that name in Cappadocia; they having been all so called in honour of Caesar, to flatter and perpetuate that family.

Virgins; by their father’s and their own voluntary determination, as 1 Cor. 7:37; neither is it said whether they continued in that state, but they were so. Which did prophesy; not by expounding the prophecies or word of God, for no woman is suffered to teach publicly, 1 Cor. 14:34, 1 Tim.

Of whom mention is made, Acts 11:28; of whose prophecy they could not be ignorant, by reason of the great collection which, on that account, was made for the poor at Jerusalem.

Took Paul’s girdle; it was ordinary amongst the prophets to confirm, or at least to exemplify, their prophecies by outward signs and symbols, as Isa. 20:2, Jer. 13:1, Ezek. 12:5. But that of Jer.

They of that place; the converts or believers that were in Caesarea, pitying him, and having a tender affection for him: See Poole on “Acts 21:4”. Besought him with tears, so earnest were they, as in the following verse. (see Acts 21:13}

What mean ye to weep, and to break mine heart? a strange strife, who should overcome by loving most, as in that betwixt David and Jonathan, 1 Sam. 20:41–42.

We ceased; as having done their utmost, and what became them. Saying, The will of the Lord be done; they commit the event unto God: thus we pray daily, that God’s will may be done, Matt. 6:10, Luke 11:2; and thus our Saviour, not only by his precept, but by his example, hath taught us, Matt.

As they do pack up that are to remove to another house or place, not intending to come thither any more again; this also did show their readiness of mind to endure and suffer all things, as loss of relations and friends, and all accommodations, for Christ.

Either this Mnason was in their company, or rather they were brought by the disciples of Caesarea to the house of this Mnason, who was one of them that was converted when Paul and Barnabas were at Cyprus, Acts 13:4; and lodgings being scarce at Jerusalem, (when all the males were to appear there in…

It is thought, that by brethren in this place, and Acts 21:7, they are meant, who, being believers, were formed into a church with its several officers, and that they are called disciples only, Acts 21:4, who, living dispersed, and in smaller numbers, could not constitute such a church; but surely…

James, one of the apostles, though some think that he was a kinsman of our Saviour’s, and at this time bishop of Jerusalem. Elders; as in Acts 15:6, Acts 15:23, not so called for their age, but dignity or place in the church.

God had so done those marvellous works, that they ought to be had in remembrance; and this was said by the apostle, that God might not lose the glory, nor the church the benefit, of any of those great things which God had wrought: otherwise, St.

Glorified the Lord; acknowledging all in that great work of the conversion of the Gentiles to have been from God; and that Paul that had planted, and Apollos that had watered, were nothing, 1 Cor. 3:6–7.

Informed of thee; instructed or catechised concerning thee; the zealots had made it their business to instil such aspersions and odious reflections against Paul, as if their accusations had been the fundamental truths of their religion. Moses; the ceremonial law, given by his ministry.

What is it therefore? It cannot be otherwise; or, what else remains to be done? The multitude must needs come together; all the faithful must meet; for the magistrates then being pagan, and enemies both to the church and the gospel; in matters of great moment, especially when there was any fear of…

Vows were either, first, such as men did make in gratitude for any deliverance they had received, as from sickness, storms, or any imminent dangers: or, secondly, to enable them the better to serve God on any occasion; and then they were bound to keep themselves from all those things which were…

Purify thyself; they advise Paul to perform all those rites required of a Nazarite, the observation of which did legally purify him. Be at charges with them; these charges were about the threefold sacrifice which were to be offered, two turtles or young pigeons, a lamb, unleavened bread, and cakes…

These ceremonies (after their accomplishment in Christ) not being at all necessary, they were not imposed upon any that received the faith of Christ from amongst the Gentiles, or other nations; only suffered for a while unto the Jews that turned to Christ, for the hardness of their hearts, and…

Paul agrees to their advice, and follows it; and having set such a time for his vow as might end with the other four men’s, he, with the four mentioned, signify to the priest (who was concerned to know it, because of the sacrifices that were to be offered for them), that the time of their…

The seven days; either, 1. After his coming to Jerusalem; or rather, 2. Of his vow; for it is thought that his vow of separation was but for seven days; or: 3. The seven days of that feast of Pentecost which he came unto.

Men of Israel; minding them by this compellation, of their being a peculiar people unto God, and that none might be admitted with them in his worship. A charge is laid against St.

For they had seen; the Jews of Asia, who could not but know Trophimus; and he following of Paul in this journey, either ignorantly or maliciously they accuse the apostle for taking him into the temple with him; which was only their surmise, and the issue of their enraged jealousy.

And all the city was moved; there was a general concourse from all parts. Tantum religio poterat, no such heats as such are which are moved about religion; whilst the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, James 3:17.

The chief captain; the commander-in-chief over all the soldiers there; or one that had the command over a thousand. At the three great feasts there was usually a considerable number of soldiers at Jerusalem; the confluence from all parts being then so great, and the Jews so impatient of any yoke or…

A wonderful providence of God for Paul’s preservation, that the chief captain should be so near, as to be able to hinder the massacring of Paul; and especially that he should be defended and preserved by one that was a stranger to him, and an enemy to his religion! They left beating of Paul, lest…

Bound with two chains; whether as Peter was, See Poole on “Acts 12:6”, or that he was bound with one upon his feet, and with the other upon his hands, it was exactly fulfilled what Agabus had prophesied concerning him, Acts 21:11.

Some cried one thing, some another; as is usual in popular commotions, they agreed in doing mischief, but not in the reason of it. Into the castle called Antonia, because it was built in honour of Mark Antony, on the north side of the temple.

When he came upon the stairs, in the ascent to the castle, he was borne of the soldiers; either because the press was so great, he being in the midst of them; or being taken up by them, to secure him from the fury of the enraged multitude.

That is, Kill him; for that was indeed to take him out of their way. The same speech they used against our Saviour, Luke 23:18, John 19:15, when they desired his death.

May I speak unto thee? A common expression in that language, whereby he craves leave, and bespeaks attention. Canst thou speak Greek? After the Grecian empire, their language became and continued to be very common in Asia and Egypt, and very well known amongst all the Romans of any education or…

That Egyptian; a famous ringleader of a rebellious crew, as some think, in the reign of Tiberius; but as others, in the thirteenth year of the emperor Claudius, and continued till under Nero’s reign, and came, from these four thousand mentioned here at his first setting up, to have thirty thousand…

No mean city; it being the metropolis, or chief city, in Cilicia, built by Perseus, as some think; howsoever, having the privilege of the Roman freedom; as Acts 22:28. I beseech thee: St.

Paul stood on the stairs; as he was now about to be carried into the castle Antonia, before mentioned. And beckoned with the hand; signifying that he craved their audience; as Acts 12:17, Acts 13:16.